Have always loved the Brothers Grimm stories and fairytales in general, and dislike very few if any. They can be dark, but they also enchant with memorable characters and one thinks hard about what the story is trying to say. 'Rapunzel', one of their most famous, is one of the most best-known stories in the world and one can see why. Some may be put off by the deal the parents make in exchange for the lettuce, but 'Rapunzel' is a charming story really and has an ending that has always been very moving to me.
'Grimm Masterpiece Theater's', an uneven but very interesting late 80s anime series with a nice mix of the famous stories and the stories that are not as exposed, version of 'Rapunzel' is not one of the series' best episodes. Up to this point of the series' second season, it's my least favourite. Although it is faithful in detail to the original story (mostly, with exceptions like Rapunzel's number of children), there were a few things that could have been done better and were a turn off.
Especially true to this is the portrayal of Rapunzel's parents. While the circumstances at the beginning of the original story are kept intact, this version has got to have the coldest portrayal of the parents for any adaptation of 'Rapunzel'. More the mother than the father though, with the father being practically manipulated and acting under demand (he gives in too easily though, even for the story, and almost too willing), whereas the spoiled, manipulative, rude and quite annoying mother was intolerable (do not remember her being this cold).
A lot of the dialogue can veer on cheesy, especially the Prince's whose lines sometimes sound like what can be said in an awkward "would you like to go out on a date" scenario. The voice acting is uneven. Have never had any problem with the narrator, while Rapunzel actually sounds like a late teen without being mature enough rather than sounding like someone trying to sound younger. The witch is suitably sinister without sounding over-compensated. The father comes over as too agressive and the mother sounds bored. The drawing tends to lack finesse.
Most of the animation isn't an issue to me though. There are some lovely fluid colours and a lot of care and love went into the backgrounds. The story is compelling and doesn't feel rushed or over-stretched, Rapunzel and the Prince's chemistry is sweet. The highlights though are the witch's first appearance, which was genuinely quite frightening and quite inventive actually, and the poignant ending. Some of the writing is serviceable enough, the narration is fine, Rapunzel and the witch's big confrontation has tension and the emotion is there without being cloying.
Rapunzel is a likeable titular character and it is amazing how she turned out so well considering her parents. This is probably the first adaptation of 'Rapunzel' where the witch's point of view, usually she's portrayed as a villain through and through, can be understood. Liked the music too, especially the lovely harp theme.
Concluding, decent but could have been better. The beginning was a turn off but it got better. 6/10
'Grimm Masterpiece Theater's', an uneven but very interesting late 80s anime series with a nice mix of the famous stories and the stories that are not as exposed, version of 'Rapunzel' is not one of the series' best episodes. Up to this point of the series' second season, it's my least favourite. Although it is faithful in detail to the original story (mostly, with exceptions like Rapunzel's number of children), there were a few things that could have been done better and were a turn off.
Especially true to this is the portrayal of Rapunzel's parents. While the circumstances at the beginning of the original story are kept intact, this version has got to have the coldest portrayal of the parents for any adaptation of 'Rapunzel'. More the mother than the father though, with the father being practically manipulated and acting under demand (he gives in too easily though, even for the story, and almost too willing), whereas the spoiled, manipulative, rude and quite annoying mother was intolerable (do not remember her being this cold).
A lot of the dialogue can veer on cheesy, especially the Prince's whose lines sometimes sound like what can be said in an awkward "would you like to go out on a date" scenario. The voice acting is uneven. Have never had any problem with the narrator, while Rapunzel actually sounds like a late teen without being mature enough rather than sounding like someone trying to sound younger. The witch is suitably sinister without sounding over-compensated. The father comes over as too agressive and the mother sounds bored. The drawing tends to lack finesse.
Most of the animation isn't an issue to me though. There are some lovely fluid colours and a lot of care and love went into the backgrounds. The story is compelling and doesn't feel rushed or over-stretched, Rapunzel and the Prince's chemistry is sweet. The highlights though are the witch's first appearance, which was genuinely quite frightening and quite inventive actually, and the poignant ending. Some of the writing is serviceable enough, the narration is fine, Rapunzel and the witch's big confrontation has tension and the emotion is there without being cloying.
Rapunzel is a likeable titular character and it is amazing how she turned out so well considering her parents. This is probably the first adaptation of 'Rapunzel' where the witch's point of view, usually she's portrayed as a villain through and through, can be understood. Liked the music too, especially the lovely harp theme.
Concluding, decent but could have been better. The beginning was a turn off but it got better. 6/10